Friday, December 30, 2011

During this difficult economic times I'm sure the thought of "being wealthy" has entered the minds of many. But what exactly is being wealthy? What did the philosophers over the ages have to say about wealth? Below are a view samplings of their viewpoints.

I am absolutely convinced that no wealth in the world can help humanity forward, even in the hands of the most devoted worker in this cause. The example of great and pure individuals is the only thing that can lead us to noble thoughts and deeds. Money only appeals to selfishness and irresistibly invites abuse. Can anyone imagine Moses, Jesus, or Gandhi armed with the money-bags of Carnegie? Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

We are taxed twice as much by our Idleness, three times as much by our Pride, and four times as much by our Folly, and from these Taxes the Commissioners cannot ease or deliver us by allowing an Abatement. However let us hearken [sic] to good Advice, and something may be done for us; God helps them that help themselves, as Poor Richard says, in his Almanack of 1733.

-- Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), The Way To Wealth

Your name or your person,

Which is dearer?

Your person or your goods,

Which is worth more?

Gain or loss,

Which is a greater bane?

-- Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

Without a rich heart wealth is an ugly beggar.

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), "On Wealth"

Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind. With respect to luxuries and comforts, the wisest have ever lived a more simple and meager life than the poor. The ancient philosophers, Chinese, Hindu [sic], Persian, and Greek, were a class than which none has been poorer in outward riches, none so rich in inward. We know not much about them. It is remarkable that we know so much of them as we do. The same is true of the more modern reformers and benefactors of their race. None can be an impartial or wise observer of human life but from the vantage ground of what we should call voluntary poverty.

-- Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), "Walden"

Very interesting take on what these great philosophers have to say about wealth. When you find yourself desiring MORE, perhaps read through these viewpoints one more time.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Dare To Know

The last great philosopher of the Enlightenment era, and one of the greatest philosophers of all time, Immanuel Kant urged people to "Dare to Know" - "SapereAude" that is, to start having an autonomous thinking instead of relying for knowledge on external sources.

Kant's theories on nature and human nature were original and thought provoking. He believed that we should not make our own concepts match the nature of objects but instead allow our own concepts to shape the experience of the object. This will then determine how we can acquire knowledge and experience the world around us.

Kant also maintained that the source of morality is Good Will, which stems from the universal moral law of "Doing the right thing" without expecting to derive pleasure or happiness from it. Duty is what makes a man good , and having Good Will makes a man take the right moral decisions. As Kant says: "so act as to treat humanity, whether in thine own person or in that of any other, in every case as an end withal, never as a means only."

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Four Exemplars of Noble Living

Confucius, the Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad were all born into ancient cultures in the midst of tumultuous changes. Each addressed fundamental existential problems within their societies, developing codes of ethics and behavior that broke with the past, and offering bold new visions of human life.

Confucius: China's primordial philosopher and sage, whose teaching integrally shaped the Chinese constructs of government, human relations, culture, and history. The Confucian thought formed the basis of Chinese education for 2,000 years. He founded the core precepts of "uncommon" humaneness, reciprocity, and the creative power of virtue.

The Buddha: A high-born prince who turned his back on a life of privilege to follow an unrelenting quest for the "supreme state of sublime peace." His teachings are about the nature of reality, the delusions of human perception, and the practical means for ending suffering.

Jesus of Nazareth: Is a beloved icon of Christianity, a revered prophet in Islam, and the dominant figure in Western culture for nearly two millennia. His archetypal dual role as both harbinger of God's kingdom and spiritual teacher, revealed a liberating alternative to humanity's oppressive inequities.

Muhammad: Al-Lah's "last" prophet and the central example of the faithful Muslim. His teachings brought Islam into being even as he struggled with the roles of both political and military leader of his community. Muhammad teaches oneness and inscrutability of the absolute.

Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad were visonary sages that play a monumental role in our world. Their teachings lead to liberation from the conditioned mind and freedom from suffering. Perhaps today we can all take time to move closer to spirit and evolve to a higher state of being.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

The universe comes to us as values. Values such as truth, wisdom, oneness, unity, peace, love and beauty are all expressions of spirit. If we move towards spirit then we can experience these directly. Values are higher forms of mental consciousness that can bring infinite results in no time.

In the "Life Divine," SriAurobindo defines "cosmic determinants," as forces, powers and truths intended by the Divine to spread throughout the universe in creation. For man it takes form as the spiritual aspects of Beingness, Oneness, Knowledge, Power, Love, Beauty, Creativity, Bliss, and several others. When we bring values into life, we are actually taking to one or more of these spiritual aspects. Each time we embrace values we take a step closer to spirit.

Monday, December 19, 2011

The ancient Greek philosopher Epictetus lived in the Roman world during the 1st century AD. He was born a slave yet taught philosophy in Rome until he was banished to Greece. Epictetus didn't write down his philosophy; however, one of his pupil's (Arrian) did.

Epictetus taught that all external events are beyond control and to worry about them is to invite pain and suffering into one's life. He preached that happiness is to be nurtured within oneself by practicing a calm and peaceful attitude. He also taught that human beings have the responsibility to care for one another.

His thoughts on education, patience and learning from our mistakes are simplistic yet very powerful. He believed a good education brings freedom, autonomy and happiness. Cultivating patience creates great things. And mistakes are a way of learning about ourselves.

Perhaps today we can all learn something new, have patience, and learn through our mistakes.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The power of affirmations lies in their simplicity. whenever we are looking for changes we are looking to change karma. By simply repeating a statement, focusing on it and going with it, you are changing some of your belief systems and in turn, your karma.

Stage 1: The Purpose:

When writing your affirmation, think about your purpose. think about what you are trying to achieve from this life. If you don't know then spend some time in meditation and the answer will come to you. Do not confuse your affirmation writing with goals. They are two different things. Affirmations are specific statements and instill immediate change. Goals are hopes and plans for the future.

Stage 2: Choose the Area of Change:

At this point you know your purpose and thus the specific area of your life you want to change. For example, you might want to change your financial situation. the point here is that you have a definite area to focus on for change to take place.

Stage 3: Response:

Write your affirmations in the present tense as though it has already happened. Now read your affirmations and notice the reaction you get. It may be a good reaction or it can be a negative one. If the feeling is negative, then it is an area you need to work on. You need to neutralize your response by rewriting the affirmation in a way that is favorable to you. In effect you are turning a negative into a positive.

Stage 4: Repetition:

Read your affirmations at least once a day. .Make them a part of your daily life. You may begin to notice changes within 30 days. At that point the affirmation has become a permanent part of your memory.

Stage 5: Release:

At this point release your thoughts and feelings regarding your affirmations and let them go. Accept the validity of the new affirmation and just live by it. It is now your reality!

Stage 6: New Challenges:

Whenever you encounter new challenges in your life, let affirmations be your guide. Get into the habit of writing new affirmations that relate to what to what you are going through and watch how smoothly things turn out.